[password] Boatfloat66

[position] 15 32.708S 168 08.837E

[speed] 0knts

[heading] 0T

[status] Mystery solved. The village is about half way through the mourning period for their recently deceased chief. Drumming is required prior to the communal food preparation at the Nakamal in the morning and evening. He was the "People Chief" (as opposed to the Land Chief or landowner) and is sorely missed. From what we have seen of the village he ran a pretty slick community. This place is well organised, maintained and they get the tourism thing (in their own down-scale way). Only another 50 days of mourning to go and then they go through the process of selecting a new chief. This will cost the lives of between 10 to 100 pigs but the pigs don't know that yet.

Marie, the wife of Matthew the yacht club manager/village tourism council chairman, gave us an extensive tour of the village and surrounds. Matthew appeared at lunchtime with apologies for his absence. The men of the village are all repairing the hydro power system. Life here is a two-way track so Matthew's Opti sail is currently undergoing a refurb in the Freyja sail loft. We will deliver the renovated masterpiece (complete with shiny new grommets) this evening before we dine at the yacht club restaurant. BYO of course if you want your drinks cold or alcoholic or anything other than coconut milk.

[weather) 10kt SSE, 1m swell, 95% cloud, 1013 baro
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